LAS VEGAS – We've got the Kentucky Derby a month away and to get us better prepared, we've enlisted the help of Linemaker Lou D'Amico, one of the best horse racing minds in Las Vegas. Today, Lou offers his opinions on two Derby preps – the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York, and the Santa Anita Derby in California.

If you've spent some time in a Vegas race and sports book over the last 35 years, chances are you've run into Lou. Of all the bookmakers in town, he's one of the few who can say he was brought into the business by Lefty Rosenthal – the inspiration for Robert De Niro’s character, Sam “Ace” Rothstein, in the film “Casino” – at the Stardust.

Lou was already sharp with the horses from years of tutoring by his father in New York before coming to Las Vegas, and between endless hours operating a book and his own handicapping ability, his horse racing credentials are unmatched in Las Vegas.

The best thing about Lou’s advice is that it's rarely chalk. When he plays a horse, it usually has a great projected return. And in those few instances he does lay a favorite, it's a horse that is virtually unbeatable.

Here's a look a few of the horses Lou likes in two of Saturday's big races.

The Wood Memorial

"I always look for a horse with value, and I have one here with No. 4 Elnaawi at 12-1,” said D'Amico. "I think we can beat the favorite, No. 8 Verrazano at 4-5.

“Win and place are good wagers here, and if looking for exotics, try Elnaawi on top of No. 2 Normandy Invasion (5-1), No. 5 Vyjack (4-1), No. 6 Mr. Palmer (12-1) and Verrazano."

Santa Anita Derby

"The other big race of the day is the Santa Anita Derby," says D'Amico. "Trainer Bob Baffert has three of his stars running in this race with No. 1 Flashback at 6-5, No. 3 Power Broker 4-1 and No. 6 Super Ninety-Nine at 9-2.

“There are a lot of short prices in this race, but the best value looks to be No. 5 Goldencents at 9-2. I think we will get a better price than that as people always bet the Baffert horses.

“An exotic to try would be a one-way exacta with No. 5 Goldencents to No. 1 Flashback."

Lou will have more information as the month goes by, offering his thoughts as the Kentucky Derby nears. Good luck and enjoy your day at the races.